RIYADH — Saudi Arabia has been appointed to lead the ISO/TC 357 technical committee responsible for developing global standards for wound dressings and wound compresses, becoming the first country in the region to do so. The Kingdom’s international milestone to chair an international technical committee under the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) stems from collaboration between the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) and the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO). Represented by the SFDA, Saudi Arabia will serve as the committee's secretariat and lead its technical work to develop international standards covering terminology, safety and performance requirements, testing methods, and safety controls for wound dressings and wound compresses. The SFDA proposed establishing the committee in response to a global need for international standards in the field, while SASO coordinated the technical and procedural work with ISO and national standards bodies worldwide. The committee was approved after the Saudi proposal completed ISO's technical and regulatory review process, including evaluations by relevant technical committees and the organization's Technical Management Board (ISO/TMB). The proposal had 27 countries vote in favor of establishing the committee. Another 13 countries joined as participating members and 21 countries as observer members, including several global leaders in standards and standardization. The achievement underscores Saudi Arabia's growing leadership in international standards and quality, reflects global confidence in the Kingdom's technical expertise.